Diversity in Environmental Organizations: Lack of Transparency and Inequities in Compensation with Dr. Dorceta Taylor

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Dr. Taylor's talk will examine the extent to which environmental organizations report diversity data. It will also examine differences in the wages of male and female as well as minority and non-minority executives in environmental organizations. In 2014, Taylor authored a report, "The State of Diversity in Environmental Organizations: Mainstream NGOs, Foundations & Government Agencies," seen as the most comprehensive report on diversity in the environmental movement. It surveyed 191 environmental non-profits, 74 government environmental agencies, and 28 leading environmental grant making foundations to investigate their gender and racial diversity composition, the majority of which state diversification as a “value.” The study included confidential interviews of 21 environmental leaders from diverse backgrounds and experience. The failure of environmental organizations and agencies to increase recruitment and retention of people of color comes despite the disproportionate impact of environmental hazards on communities of color and the fact that people of color poll higher than whites in support for environmental issues. The report can be viewed here: https://www.diversegreen.org/the-challenge/ 5:30-7pm, reception to follow Free, donations appreciated. Registration is requested as space is limited. Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dorceta-taylor-a-voice-for-equity-and-justice-in-the-environmental-movement-registration-55723064185?utm_term=eventurl_text About Dr. Taylor: Dr. Dorceta Taylor is a professor of environmental sociology at the University of Michigan’s School of for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS). She is the James E. Crowfoot Collegiate Chair and the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at SEAS. She also holds a joint appointment with the Program in the Environment. She teaches courses in environmental history, environmental politics, environmental justice, climate change and sustainable development, sustainable food systems, gender and environment, and sociological theory. Describing her approach to teaching, she writes, “I believe that each person has the capacity to learn and get excited about environmental issues. I think a thorough understanding of the past informs present thinking and actions. I believe that teaching that is built on a foundation of solid knowledge, rigor and freedom to push the boundaries and think beyond the ordinary produce the most exciting results.” Her research focuses on history of mainstream and environmental justice ideology and activism, social movements and framing, green jobs, diversity in the environmental field, urban agriculture, and food justice. She participated in the landmark 1990 environmental justice conference at the University of Michigan’s School of Natural Resources and Environment – Race and the Incidence of Environmental Hazards – and contributed a chapter to the book of the same name. She also helped to develop the environmental justice program at SSEAS – the first such program in the country. Dr. Taylor is the former Field of Studies Coordinator for SEAS’ Environmental Justice Program and a past Chair of the American Sociological Association’s Environment and Technology Section. Professor Taylor received dual doctorates in Sociology and Forestry & Environmental Studies from Yale University in 1991, a Master of Arts and Master of Philosophy from Yale University in Sociology and Forestry & Environmental Studies in 1988, a Master of Forest Science from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies in 1985, and a Bachelor of Arts Environmental Studies and Biology from Northeastern Illinois University in 1983. Read Dr. Taylor's complete biography on our website: https://www.hitchcockcenter.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Dorceta-Taylor-Biography-2019.pdf